Elina Huges 16, poses with her service Goldendoodle, Zoe. Elina's mom, Karla, right, works with Elina and Zoe to provide assistance for her daughter. Elina was the first graduate of the Canine Angels program. STEPHANIE WELDY, FOR THE REGISTER

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Isaac Galvez-Reyna, 9, who is non-verbal, stays balanced with help from his service dog, Qismat. Qismat also retrieves Isaac's mother when the boy raises both of his arms before him. STEPHANIE WELDY, FOR THE REGISTER

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Gabriela Galvez-Reyna poses with her son, Isaac, and his Golder Retriever, Qismat. Qismat is Isaac's service dog and helps the 9-year-old when he is in need of assistance. Qismat has been with the Galvez-Reyna family since June. STEPHANIE WELDY, FOR THE REGISTER

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Dozens of dogs, many from Canine Angels, came out on Oct. 7 to the organization's 5th annual Dog Walk & Family Fun Day. STEPHANIE WELDY, FOR THE REGISTER

The event, which drew about 150 people, raised funds and created awareness for Canine Angels – a nonprofit organization that works to help disabled youth, ages 5 to 25, achieve independence through the service dogs that it trains.

"Our goal is to provide companionship and increased independence to kids today so they can live a more productive life and do more things on their own," said Kelly Stacks, executive director of Canine Angels.

At the event, attendees donated $20 to participate in the dog walk through Mason Park; they were given a Canine Angels T-shirt along with dog related treats and goodies.

All funds raised during the dog walk benefit the organization, which utilizes funds to send dogs through a two-year training program in Grants Pass, Oregon. There, they learn how to work with and provide support to children with disabilities that range from cerebral palsy to autism.

The training process costs $15,000 per dog, but Canine Angels charges families only $1,000 for a one-week training session that requires the family's involvement and presence at the Oregon-based facility.

Stacks said fundraisers, such as the dog walk, help defray costs. Families are not charged for the dogs nor the extensive training, where they learn how to open elevators, turn on lights and pull wheelchairs among other things.

Saturday's dog walk also included pumpkin decorating, a bounce house, food trucks, vendors and drawings. Raffle prizes included Disneyland tickets, hotel stays, spa treatment products and dog treats and goodies, many of which were donated by King's Hawaiian Bakery and Pet Nutrition Center of Carlsbad.

Hughes, who was the first graduate of the Canine Angels' program in 2007, spends most her of her time with her service dog. The two often swim and play sled hockey together.

Karla Hughes said that without Zoe, her daughter would be anxious and unable to do many activities.

Elina, for example, refused to board the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland until Zoe accompanied her. She's also been unable to sit through other intimidating procedures unless her faithful dog has been at her side.

"[Elina has] had a couple of partial seizures this last year," Karla Hughes said. "She had to get several (tests)...It's pretty scary when you have a partial seizure, you have to get all these electroids put on your head and you have to stay as still as you can so the monitors read you. And her dog was right there, right near the bed and kept her body quiet."

Gabriella Galvez-Reyna's son, 9-year-old Isaac, also got a service dog through Canine Angels. Isaac received a Golden Retriever, Qismat, in June.

Galvez-Reyna said it seems that Isaac, who is non-verbal, was meant to be with Qismat.

The moment Isaac walked into the Oregon facility with all of the trained service dogs, Qismat immediately got up and began wagging his tail incessantly, said Galvez-Reyna.

Galvez-Reyna said Qismat means 'fate' in Arabic.

She says she is glad that she discovered Canine Angels.

"I think they're angels," Galvez-Reyna said. "There's no better word for any of that and the work that they do, all of their time and dedication that they take to train the dogs and then to go through the extensive training that they go through to train us as parents, the children and the dogs. They're a unique group because it's very rare for someone who to train dogs for children. There are lots of places that train dogs, but not for children."

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